No.009 2010.02 
LEE Chung Yong
”Blue Dragon” LEE Chung Yong goes from strength to strength in the Premier League |
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In the September 26th match versus BIRMINGHAM CITY, LEE Chung Yong (left) bursts into celebration after scoring his first goal
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“Blue Dragon” is LEE Chung Yong’s nickname. The name is based on the characters in his name but the comparisons with a dragon’s power and mysteriousness when he is dribbling down the sideline can’t be overlooked.
In August 2009 LEE Chung Yong transferred from Korea Rep. powerhouse FC SEOUL to historical English Premier League club BOLTON WANDERERS FC (established in 1874). He was welcomed at Bolton as the 7th Korea Rep. player to join the Premier League.
“More than the concern about playing overseas for the first time I was nervous about whether I could match it with the world’s best players. I love a challenge. I also like looking for new experiences. Not just in football but also in life. If I had failed in the Premier League I wstill would’ve got a lot out of it.” The 21 year old youngster was not worried about hwat lay ahead but just focused on playing with the top players.
Although he was a regular member of the Korea Rep. national team the English media and fans were tough on him. It was not just about that he wasn’t physically strong enough but also that playing in the Premier League you will be treated roughly and need to defend hard and whether he could handle that. Bolton legend and former head coach Gary MEGSON said “It was true we worried whether his body and physicality would enable him to succeed in the Premier League”.
However “On the aspect of power and physicality I was weaker than the English players. There was an issue with my body size but I worked hard to build a stronger body. The passing in the Premier League is very fast so before the ball arrives you have to be thinking about where it’s going next. So it’s very important that each team has to have one player who can create a scoring chance with every attack. I am working to become that player” LEE Chung Yong said as he puts to rest the concerns of scoring and making scoring chances.
Due to a broken bone injury for MF Sean DAVIS last September and rehabilitation this season LEE Chung Yong’s chance came earlier than expected. He was used as a second half substitute in the season opener versus SUNDERLAND. Having gotten his Premier League debut he then played on September 26th versus BIRMINGHAM CITY once more as a substitute in the second half this time scoring his first goal moments before the final whistle. He also scored versus EVERTON on October 25th and WEST HAM on December 15th and in the FA Cup versus LINCOLN CITY on January 2nd 2010. Then on January 26th versus BURNLEY he got a through pass from Kevin DAVIES and hit a left footed half-volley to score and win the game which received the highest praise from head coach Owen COYLE (who took over from Gary MEGSON on December 30th 2009 due to bad results) who said “What a fantastic goal! He’s not just skilful but knows how to enjoy football”. He went on “This season he has been Bolton’s best performing player. I want him to grow into a Bolton star”.
LEE Chung Yong whose goal was to be a “player who can create a scoring chance with every attack” has already marked 5 goals and 5 assists this season (as of January 31st) and is performing a level that wildly exceeded expectations. He has now earned his coach and teammates’ trust and plays all 90 minutes as crucial part of the 4-4-2 system on the right side. They are even surprised in his home country, Korea Rep. “It’s a result no one could’ve predicted”.
LEE Chung Yong has surpassed all expectations. His team wants him to “continue to make his mark in the Premier League”
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As his team had hoped LEE Chung Yong “Will continue to make his mark in the Premier League” and they are confident about his future. In an interview with Korea Rep.’s specialist football magazine “Best Eleven” he talked about his impressions of the Premier League. “From watching on TV I knew that the tempo was very fast in the Premier League. I was worried if I could manage. But playing there myself I stopped worrying. Maybe the TV cameras exaggerate (laughing). There is a definite difference to playing in the K-League, but I don’t think it’s that big a difference”.
“I want to do even better for BOLTON who believed in me before I had achieved anything for them”. Based on the self-belief he has gained from his first season in the Premier League he now wants to achieve more. The fans chants using his name are set to ring out even more in the future.
＜Profile＞
MF LEE Chung Yong was born July 2nd 1988 in Korea Rep. After dropping out of high school he joined FC SEOUL in 2004. He got more opportunities to play from 2007 and participated in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2008 Beijing Olympics. He received attention as one of Korea Rep.’s “golden generation”. He made his debut for the full national team during qualifying for the FIFA World Cup South Africa in 2008. In the summer of 2009 he transferred to BOLTON. His wide vision, passing, speed and breaks down the wing as well as reading of the momentum of a match have all improved. In January 2009 the Times selected him as one of their “50 best athletes to watch in 2009”.
He is 180cm, 69kg.
Text by KIM Myung Wook/Pitch commnications
